The internet of things (IoT) is becoming more than just a buzzword for many organizations. The idea of connecting hundreds or thousands of products, corporate assets and other “things” via the internet to gather valuable data is a compelling proposition for companies in a variety of industries.

But building an effective IoT strategy isn’t simple. IoT involves a lot of moving parts (literally) and presents a number of major challenges. Here, IT leaders who have launched IoT projects offer valuable advice for those who are just beginning to formulate an IoT plan.

Appoint an IoT leader

Every effective IoT strategy requires a strong leader. This individual must have broad oversight into the various technical components of the IoT initiative and be able to guide a cohesive strategy to ensure everyone is on the same page. Your IoT leader can be a senior-level executive from IT, operations or even business leadership. Some experts have talked about the need for a chief IoT officer.

“It is critical to have well-defined leadership driving the initiative,” said Scott Sandler, technology manager of cloud computing at Rockwell Automation, a provider of industrial automation technology.

“This could be a chief IoT officer or other position who has the appropriate authority to drive the needed change in the organization,” Sandler said. “This leader also becomes critical in setting the strategy and ensuring that even as technology changes — as it does so fast in this space — you stay true to your strategy.”

Rockwell in 2011 began an IoT effort as an extension of its existing business. Its IoT initiative enables the company’s customers to connect their industrial equipment and systems to the cloud so they can better analyze operational data and enhance decision support for operational technology and IT users.

Rockwell is working with Microsoft to make sure it has a secure industrial IoT platform that can scale to meet customers’ growing data gathering needs, and to facilitate data movement through the enterprise.